The future of our cities

The world is rapidly becoming urbanised, with three billion people living in cities.  The United Nations has estimated that half the world’s population now lives in cities and two-thirds will do so by 2050.  New Zealand too is highly urbanised.  It is estimated that by 2030, nearly 90% of New Zealand’s population will be living in cities, some 4.2 million city dwellers compared with about 1.4 million in 1950.

Throughout the world, cities and towns present a range of pressing issues such as governance, transport infrastructure, uncertainty over energy supplies and climate change, as well as the demands of housing and services for an increasingly ageing and diverse population.  These issues must be addressed: quality of life is increasingly the basis on which towns, cities and indeed countries compete for inward investment and population growth. 

The University’s expertise across many aspects of engineering, urban design, planning, energy and transport infrastructure and law provides a strong foundation for building urban environments that are amongst the best in the world. 

Cities are, however, created by and for people. They are meaningful as well as material places and social dimensions such as community networks will always complement the 'hard' infrastructure such as roads and buildings.

The Gus Fisher Gallery in the Kenneth Myers Centre acts as a highly effective two-way cultural conduit between the University and the City. The increasing popularity of the regular exhibitions and events in this iconic building, which is now home to the newly established Centre for New Zealand Art Research and Discovery, is testament to that. The University contributes to — and gains inspiration from — the cultural and creative life of the City, bringing enhanced economic and social benefits to the City in the process.

Key to addressing the problems facing Auckland — and many similar cities —  is the philanthropic support of donors who are vitally concerned about current developments in urban living standards and behaviours, design, transport infrastructure, costs and governance. Such strong and directed support will enable the University to attract and retain, or collaborate with, the best thinkers and researchers on these issues from throughout New Zealand and the world.